Mamata is willing to set up NCTC, says Shinde

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Last Updated: Mon, Feb 25, 2013 11:05 hrs

Kolkata: Claiming that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had a positive view on the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde Monday said the central government was trying to break the deadlock over the proposed anti-terror hub.

"She (Banerjee) is willing. But other chief ministers are opposing it. We have to hold talks with them also," Shinde told reporters after holding a meeting with Banerjee at Bakkhali in South 24 Parganas district.

"We had earlier held talks about the NCTC. Banerjee had said that we would have to discuss together some clauses," he said.

Shinde, who began a two-day tour of the state Sunday, held talks with Banerjee Monday afternoon.

The proposal to set up NCTC was put on hold after some states protested against its implementation, saying it would encroach on their rights. Banerjee, along with her Tamil Nadu and Gujarat counterparts, J. Jayalalithaa and Narendra Modi, respectively, had opposed certain provisions of it.

Shinde said the central government and all the states had to deal with terrorism together and the former was in the process of finding out a way to break the deadlock.

"We have to deal with terrorism together. We should not allow it in our territory. The chief ministers also have the same view. But all the chief ministers are saying that the centre should not encroach on the rights of the states. We are in the process of finding a way out," he said.

Shinde also discussed coastal security with Banerjee during the meeting.

Describing the chief minister as his "sister", the minister said his discussion with Banerjee for allotting land for Border Security Force (BSF) outposts in Bengal was "excellent".

"I earlier had urged the West Bengal government for land for BSF. We also discussed about it today. The discussion was excellent. I want to give thanks to the government," he added.